Process and apparatus for handling yarns



Feb. 28, 1961 LE ROY P. BLOCK PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING YARNS 4 Sheet 5 l Filed June 20 Feb. 28, 1961 LE ROY P. BLOCK PROCESS ANDAPPARATUS FOR HANDLING YARNS Filed June 20, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIQi QQ FIG.5

L m8 DI Y O R F L ATTORNEY LE ROY P. BLOCK 2,972,796

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING YARNS 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Feb. 28, 1961 Filed June 20, 1958 YFIG.6}7 38 INVENTOR LEROY R BLOCK BY M ATTORNEY Feb. 28, 1961 LE ROY P. BLQCK 7 2,972,796

' PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING YARNS Filed June 20, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG-11 FIG. 12

INVENT OR LE ROY P. BLOCK ATTORNEY PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING YARNS Le Roy P. Block, (Iamden, S.C., assignor to E. I. du Pont de Nernours and Company, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Filed June 20, 1958, Ser. No. 743,325

9 Claims. (Cl. 28-37) This invention relates to the winding of level packages containing multiple ends of yarn. More specifically, this invention relates to a process and apparatus for crosswinding a number of ends of yarn in side-by-side relationship onto a support in such a manner that the diameter of the wound package is constant over its entire length.

In operations in which a number of ends of yarn are being wound onto a single package simultaneously, maintaining a constant diameter across the package has long been a problem. This has been particularly true when the yarn ends are metered to the package at a constant rate, e.g., from the separate spinning cells of a spinning machine. If a point of smaller diameter develops along the package, low tension in the yarn being wound at that point occurs and a loop which will either catch in the equipment and break or will be buried under adjacent ends results. If a point of greater diameter develops, the tension in the yarn being wound at that point will increase and eventually the yarn will break. Thus, when the yarn ends have a constant rate of travel as they approach the package, it is imperative that the surface onto which they are being wound remain level.

In addition to the problem of obtaining a package of constant diameter, cross-winding the yarn to permit ready separation during unwinding has been difi'icult. The ends should cross each other at an angle greater than about When the ends lie close together and parallel to each other, slight shifting of the ends during winding causes the ends to overlap, resulting in breaks and tangles during the unwinding operation.

Known apparatus and processes purport to solve these problems. For example, a comb, approximately the width of the yarn support, which traverses the support and separates the ends into a number of individual groups and spaces the ends nearest the flange of the support closely together, has been used. However, in using such apparatus the angle of cross-winding is quite low because the distance of traverse of the comb is'necessarily limited. Various modifications of such apparatus have not been entirely satisfactory for the same reason. none of these forms of apapratus gives a package having a uniform diameter.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a process for preparing a uniform cross-wound package from a large number of ends of yarn. It is a further object of this invention to provide a process for winidng a number of yarn ends simultaneously onto a single package under uniform tension. It is still another object to provide apapratus for winding a large number of yarn ends uniformly onto a single package. Other objects will appearthereinafter.

The objects of this invention are accomplished by a process which comprises simultaneouslywinding a plurality of yarns onto a rotating yarn supportwhile progressively condensing about one-half of the yarns in a warp sheet and simultaneously increasing tht distance between the yarns in the other half of the warp sheet as the warpsheet nears the end of the support. The yarns r t s Pa eflt i In addition,

ice

are spaced apart'in substantially parallel relationship by means of pins or projections on a yarn comb in which the pins are arranged in a V-shaped configuration. The comb is rotatable in a horizontal plane about a point along the line bisecting the angle of the V in the plane off the warp sheet. The comb and the yarn support are movable relative to each other in a direction parallel to the major axis of the support.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification. In the drawings which illustrate practical embodiments of the invention:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form of the yarn winding apparatus of this invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic side elevational view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one type of yarn comb of this invention;

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic top view of the basic elements of the apparatus of this invention showing auxiliary devices used in regulating the relative motion of the yarn comb and the yarn package;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic top view of the comb shown in Figure 4 in a rotated position;

Figure 6 is a side elevtaion of an alternative form of apparatus showing a suitable traversing mechanism;

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the apparatus of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic representation of the yarn; comb showing the relative position of the yarns of the.- warp sheet when the comb is in its central position; I

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic representation showing the ence numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views and starting with Figures 1 and 2, the novel yarn-winding apparatus has a yarn comb I mounted for rotation in a horizontal plane on table 2 about a fixed axis. A plurality of. pins 3 projecting from the surface of comb 1 are positioned in essentially a V-shaped configuration for spacing the yarns 4 ofa warp sheet apart in substantially parallel relationship. Comb 1 is rotated by means of a hydromotor 6 which is supplied with a v fluid through conduits 8 and 9 from asuitable reservoir not shown. Yarns .4 in the form of a warp sheet are delivered from a source not shown, which may be a plurality of spinning cells or a plurality of bobbins arranged on a creel, by means of feed rollers ,10, then through pins 3 of comb 1 and then under feed roller 11 to yarn I beam 12. Beam 12 has two flanges .13 and 13, a core I 14, and is mountedfor rotation on axle 15 supported in pillow blocks 16 on carriage 17. The beam is driven by a constant horsepower motor 18. Carriage 17 is mounted on wheels 19 and is traversed back and forthon tracks."

20 by means of a hydraulic system not shown. Control means for regulating the traverse are schematically illustrated in Figure 4 and will be discussed laterhherein. Packer roll assembly 21 mounted on carriage 17 is held in contact with ure 2. i

The general construction and positioning of comb 1 is shown in Figure 3. Pins 3 are positioned in a V-shaped configuration along the forward edge of essentiallywedge- I shapedplate 5. The pins at the point of the I are arranged in an arc to prevent abrupt changes in the spacing of the yarns as will be later described. A polished rod is secured to plate 5 adjacent pins 3 to prevent' -the "yarns from running in contact with the plate. Plate 5 Fatehted Feb. 28, .1961

beam 12 by spring 22, as shown in Fig- 2 w is secured to spacer plate 6 which is in turn secured to table 2: Camming surfaces 26 and 28, the function of which will be described hereinafter, are secured along theoperiphery of table 2. This assembly is rotatableas a uhit about an axis not shown- Referring to Figure 4, thecontrol system for regulating. the: traverse of beam .12 and comb. 1 will now be exasraase,

plaiiied. When beam 12 is in its central position, comb 1 isialso in its central position. As carriage 16 is drawn to the left, carrying beam 12 to .the left, yarnsd of the warp sheet approach flange l3. Cam 23 which is fixedly mountedon carriage 16 contacts limit switch 25 which is operatively connected through a hydraulic control sys-v terunot shown to cause comb 1 to begin a clockwise, rotation about its fixedaxis as shownin Figure 5. At approximately the same time,'a second cam 35 mounted oncarriage 16 contacts a second limit switch 37 which activates a mechanism not shown which decreases the speed of traverse of the beam 12. j The beam continues its traverse at a decelerated rate until cam Zill contacts limit switch '33 which activates a mechanism not shown causingthe motion of the beam to be arrested and thereafter' causing the direction of traverse to be reversed. The rotation of the comb l which was initiated when cam 23 contacted limit switch 25 continues until cam 26 mounted on table 2 contacts limit switch 29. The rate of rotation of the comb is such that cam 26 contacts limit switch 29 at approximately the same time that cam 31 contacts limit switch 33. The direction of rotation of the comb is then reversed until cam 23 contacts limit switch 29, at which time the rotation of the comb ceases with the comb in its central position as shown in Figure 4. "Meanwhile, beam 12 continues its motionto the right at a decelerated rate until cam 35 ceases to contact limit switch37. At that time, the motion of beam 12 is ac celerated, and the beam is traversed at a uniform rate to the right.

As the beam approaches the left-hand edge of the warp sheet, a similar series of events as previously described occurs; As cam 22 contacts limit switch 24, comb It begins a counter-clockwise rotation. At approximately the same time, cam 34 contacts limit switch 36 causing the rate of traverse of beam 12 to decelerate. Rotation of comb 1 and the traverse of beam 12 at its decelerated rate continue until cam 3t? contacts limit switch 32. At approximately the same time, cam 28 on table 2 contacts limit switch 27, and the direction of rotation of comb 1 is reversed. The aforementioned sequence of events are repeated as beam 32 is traversed back and forth. Y

Referring now to Figure 8, letter a designates the angle between the center-line d of comb l and the row of pins. Letter designates the point of rotation of the comb. The angle formed by center-line d and the center-line e of the warp sheet is designated angle b. Angle a may vary within broad limits but is preferably between about 60 and 75. Angle b will, of course, vary with changes in the size of angle a and the amount of rotation of comb 1, It will be apparent that comb It must be rotated a sufiiv cient amount to bring about a closer spacing of the portion of the yarn ends nearest a flange and wider spacing of the remainder of the yarn ends. Referring to Figure 9, it can be seen that when angle a is about 60 this canlbe accomplished with a relatively small angle b, i.e.,

about 30. Referring again to Figure 8, it can be seen that when comb l is in the central position, the yarns: 4 of the warp sheet are spaced apart at approximately equal distances. As comb 1 is rotated counter-clockwise about point c as shown in Figure 9, the distance between the yarns in one-half of the warp sheet progressively decreases. Simultaneously, the distance between the yarns in the other half of the warp sheet progressively increases until about one-half of the pins reach a position essentially parallel with the axis of the beam.

Th'is' 'nove1 feature, that is, progressively condensing about one-half of the yarns of the warp sheet while progressively increasing the distance between yarns in the other half of the warp sheet as the sheet approaches the end of the beam, permits the winding of a yarn package which has a uniform diameter over its entire length. If desired, any abrupt changes in the spacing of the yarns as the comb is rotated about its axis may be prevented by spacing pins 3 along an are at the apex of the V.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention in which comb l is traversed back and forth and beam 12 remains stationary.

Referring to Figure 6, comb 1 is mounted on pin 38 which is in turn mounted for rotation in channel block 39. Channel block 39 is positioned over and in sliding contact with supportingbar 40 which is mounted on suitable supports not shown. A Shaft 41 is loosely pinned by pin 42 to the outer surface of channel block 39. Oscillatory motionis transmitted to comb 1 by means of a driven cam 43 and a driving assembly consisting of a rider 44 and spring and sleeve assembly 45 which is attached to sleeve 46 by means of pin 47. Sleeve 46 is secured for rotation about pin 49 which is positioned on support .48. i

Referring to Figure 7, camming surfaces 50 are positioned at each end of supporting bar 40. As cam 43 is rotated,.sleeve 46 is driven back and forth carrying comb 1 along bar 40. Shaft 41 riding in sleeve 46 retracts and extends as comb 1 moves along bar 40. As rollers 51 contact the camming surfaces, the comb is caused to rotate about pin 38 as shown at position A. Springs 52, which are attached at the apex 53 of the comb and.

at either end 54 of channel block 39, return the comb to position B as rollers 51 leave camming surfaces 50.

The operation .of the apparatus will now be further illustrated by the followingexamples which are not intended to limit theinvention.

Example I A group of 48 ends of textile yarn is made to pass over the first and under thesecon d of a pair of constant speed driven rollers as shown in Figure l. The individual yarn ends pass through the slots of comb 1 and then under a third driven roller traveling at the same speed as the first two. The comb is essentially the same as thatshown in Figure 4 with angle a being 60". The teeth of the comb are placed so that the yarn ends passing between these teeth are one-eighth inch apart. The distance between the. outermost ends of yarn is thus about six :inches. The combis rotated about an axis parallel to the axes of the teeth of the comb situated along the-line bisectingthe. angle between the two sides of the comb as shown in Figure 4 at a distance two and nine sixteenths inches from the point of intersection of the'ftwo sides of the comb as measured within the angle.- From the third ofthe driven rollers already described, the yarn ends proceed to .thesurface of beam core ,12 which is twelve inches in diameter and has flanges 13 and 13' twenty-eight inches apart. This beam is rotated on its axis by a constant horsepower motor which corrects the torqueinput to the beam in such manner .as to result in constant yarn tension as the beam increases in diameter. The beam is mounted on a carriage 17 which is traversed back and forth along tracks 20 by a hydraulic system. i

Referring ,to Figure 4, when the beam is in its central position suchthatthe center lines of the warp sheet is midway between the two flanges, of thebeam, and the beam is traveling to the left so that the yarn bundle is approaching flange ,13', the speed of motion of the beam is controlled by the fiow of hydraulic fluid to a cylinder. ,Whenthe nearestedge of thewarp sheet is abouttwo inches from the inside of flange 13', a cam 23fcontacts a limit. switch. 25. This limit switch then causes the comb lto be rotated clockwise by hydromotor 6 until; it takes theposition shown in Figure 5. At

approximatelythe same time that earn 23 contacts limit switch 25, a second cam 35 contacts a second limit switch 37.,This'limit switch activates -a mechanism which decreases the rate of flow of hydraulic fluid to the cylinder which regulates the transverse motion of the beam and causes this motion to be slower for the remaining two inches of travel. The motion of the beam continues at its decelerated rate until the cam 31 contacts the limit switch 33 which causes the motion of the beam to be halted for approximately one-tenth of one second, after which'the motion is started at the decelerated rate but in the reverse direction. The rate of rotation of the comb which was initiated when the cam 23 contacted the limit switch 25 is such that the cam 26 contacts the limit switch 29 at the same time when cam 31 contacts limit switch 33. When cam 26 contacts limit switch 29, the motion of the comb is reversed, and it rotates counterclockwise until the cam 28 contacts the limit switch 29 at which time the rotation of the comb halts, and the comb is in its original position as shown in Figure 4. Meanwhile, the beam continues its motion to the right at a decelerated rate until the cam 35 loses contact with the limit switch 37. When this occurs, the motion of the beam is accelerated to the same rate at which it was traveling in the opposite direction at the start of the description. The beam then continues moving to the right at the accelerated rate until the left-hand edge of the warp sheet reaches a point about two inches from the inside of flange 13 of the beam. A series of events similar to those already described then occurs with the beam travel being slowed as before and with the comb now moving first in a counterclockwise direction and at the time of beam reversal in a clockwise direction, depending on the effects of the cams 26 and 28 on the 'limitswitch 27. The action of the cam 22 on limit switch 24, of cam 34 on limit switch 36, and of cam 30 on'limit switch 32 are identical to the previously described actions of cam 23 on limit switch 25, cam 35.0u limit. switch 37, and cam 31 on limit switch 33;

The winding of yarn onto the beam is continued until the diameter of the Winding package is within one inch of the diameter of the flanges 13 and 13. The package remains cylindrical during this entire time, and there is no noticeable variation in tension among the many ends. In a later operation, the 4-8 ends of the yarn are unwound from thebeam simultaneously at a speed of 100 yards per minutewith no tangles'or breaks being encountered Figures 10, l1 and 12 illustrate the contours of yarn packages wound without the benefit of the process and apparatus of this invention. When a group of from about 40 to 75 ends of yarn spaced apart from about one-eighth inch to one-quarter inch arewound onto a beam about twenty-fourto forty inches in length using straight comb SSLWhich is parallel to the axis of the beam andwhich traverses back'and forth along that axis, a package 39 is built up which has a surface parallel to the'beam axis in the center of the beam but which slopes toward the axis at each end of the beam as shown in Figure 10.

- -Some improvement in the profile of the wound package'is obtained by'rotating the straight comb about a vrticaldine through its center as the comb approaches either'fiange 13 or 1 3" of the beam as shown in Figure 11. In'conju'nction with this rotation, the traverse motion of the comb. back and forth across the beam may be adiu'sted so that it may be delayed for specified periods as it'reaches either fiange. Depending on the amount of delay utilized, the package profile will be as shown in Figure ll or Figure 12, with Figure 12 showing the effect of a greater delay. In no case is it possible to obtain a profile of the package which is sufiiciently straight to maintain all of the running yarn ends under the same tension.

Various modifications in the apparatus of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art of beaming yarn, for example, the control system need not be a hy- 6 draulic system. An electrical control system can be sub: stituted for the system described. In such a system, timers may be substituted for the cams and limit switches. In addition, the apparatus may be manually controlled.

Also, the comb need not be mounted for rotation in a horizontal plane but may be adapted for winding yarns onto a vertically mounted support. Obviously, the position of the comb may be reversed, that is, mounted in a position with the V formed by the rows of pins pointing in a direction 180? from the direction of travel of-the yarn ends.

Likewise, the meansfor traversing the beam and the V-shaped c'omb are susceptible of many modifications. For example, either could be chainor belt-driven by a variable speed motor controlled by a suitable electrical timing system.

In using apparatus in which the comb is traversed, it is desirable to position the comb relatively close to the beam with no driven roller between the comb and the beam. Large percentage changes in the yarn length as a function of the traversing motion of the comb are prevented, for example, by using a relatively large spacing between the last driven roller prior to the comb and the comb itself.

If the yarn ends come from a source consisting of individual spinning machines, it is preferable to have at least one driven roller, and preferably several driven rollers, to pull the yarn from the various machines and regulate the spinning speed of the yarn ends. If the source of yarn ends is a number of yarn packages on a creel, the beaming apparatus may be operated without feed rollers, suitable guides and tension devices replacing the feed rollers.

The two rows of pins in the yarn comb form an angle, preferably in the range from about to The rows of pins should be arranged to form an angle which is greater than 90 and less than Thus, the design should be such that by rotating the comb the yarn ends passing between the pins on one-half of the comb are brought closer together and the yarn ends passing between the pins on the other half of the comb are spaced farther apart.

It is not necessary that the beam be hanged. Using the process and apparatus of this invention, winding on an unflanged spool is readily accomplished.

The timing sequence and rotation of the comb for traversing either the comb or the beam may also be varied within wide limits. It is only necessary that the yarn ends be made to wind for alonger period at each end of the package than in the center portion of the beam. This is conveniently accomplished by'decreasing the rate of trav erse of the comb and beam relative to each other as the traversing yarns approach the end of the beam.

In constructing the apparatus of this invention, it is desired that all parts in which the yarns come in contact be smooth and of sufficiently hard material to prevent abrasion and give long wearing characteristics to the apparatus. The dimensions of the comb, e.g., the spacing between the pins, as well as the spacing of the comb from the feed rollers and the beam are not critical. It is sufficient that the pinsbe arranged to space the yarn'ends apart as they are wound on the beam.

Although the apparatus of this invention is designed primarily for simultaneously winding a great number of yarns, e.g., from 10 to 200, onto a beam having a width substantially greater than that of the warp sheet, the apparatus can be advantageously employed to wind a smaller number of yarns onto a beam having a width only slightly greater than the width of the warp sheet. It will be apparent, however, that the problems involved in winding a great number of yarns are significantly diiferent from those experienced in winding a few yarns.

The novel yarn comb of this invention may be used with various types of automatic and semi-automatic beaming apparatus for winding both natural and synthetic yarns. A particularly desirable beaming apparatus is'described in the copending application of Lindstrom and MacMurray US. application Serial No. 589,195, filed June 4, 1956.

The primary advantage of the present invention resides in the fact that a plurality of yarn ends may be simultaneously wound to form a yarn package which has a uniform diameter. A further advantage lies in the fact that this invention permits bringing the yarn ends to the package at a constant speed while at the same time allowing them to be wound onto the package under a uniform tension. In addition, the novel process and apparatus of this invention permits the winding of a plurality of yarn ends onto a package with sufiicient degrees of traverse relative to the length of the package to give good cross-winding. The presence of a relatively large helix or cross-winding angle in a yarn package is particularly desirable if the package is to be used in extracting or dyeing processes. The uniformly cross-wound package also permits ready removal of the yarns without angles while unwinding yarn from the package.

It will be apparent that many widely different embodiments of this invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore it is not intended to be limited except as indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A method for simultaneously winding a plurality of yarns onto a rotating yarn support which comprises spacing said yarns apart in adjacent parallel relationship to form a warp sheet, traversing said yarns back and forth across said support, progressively decreasing the distance between the yarns in about one-half of said warp sheet adjacent the end of said support as said yarns approach the end of said support while simultaneously increasing the distance between the remainder of said yarns, maintaining said parallel relationship while winding said yarns onto said support.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said traversing is accomplished by moving said suport back and forth across the path of said yarns.

3. A method for simultaneously winding a plurality of yarns onto a rotating yarn support which comprises uniformly spacing said yarns apart in adjacent parallel relationship to form a warp sheet, traversing said yarns across the surface of said support at an established rate, decreasing the rate of traverse and progressively decreasing the distance between the yarns in about one-half of the warp sheet adjacent the end of said support while simultaneously increasing the distance between the remainder of said yarns as said .yarns approach the end of said support, reversing the direction of traverse and progressively increasing the distance between the yarns in said one-half ofthe warp sheet while simultaneously decreasing the distance between the remainder of said yarns, and resuming said traversing at the established rate when said yarns are uniformly spaced apart.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said traversing is accomplished by moving said support back and forth across the path of said yarns.

5. In apparatus for simultaneously winding a plurality of yarns onto a rotating yarn support, a yarn comb having on its surface a plurality of projections for spacing said yarns apart in adjacent parallel relationship, said projections being aligned in essentially a V-shaped configuration. means for rotating said comb ina horizontal plane about a point on the axis bisecting the angle formed by said projections and means for movingsaid support and said comb relative to each other in a direction parallel to the major axis of said support.

6. A yarn winding apparatus for simultaneously winding a plurality of yarns onto a rotating support comprised of a yarn comb having on its surface a plurality of projections for spacing said yarns apart in the form of a warp sheet, said projections being aligned in essentially a V- shaped configuration, a traversing mechanism for moving said support and said comb relative to each other in a direction parallel to the major axis of said support, means for rotating said comb in a horizontal plane about a point on the axis bisecting the angle formed by 'said projections whereby the distance between the yarns in about one-half of said warp sheet adjacent the end of said support is progressively decreased and the distance between the yarns in the remainder of the warp sheet is progressively increased as said warp sheet approache's' the end of said support, and means for reversing the direction of rotation of said comb as said warp sheet leaves the end of said support.

7. A yarn winding apparatus for simultaneously winding a plurality of yarns onto a rotating support, a yarn comb mounted for rotation in a horizontal plane having a plurality of yarn guides projecting from its surface, said guides being spaced apart in essentially a V-shaped configuration, a rotatable yarn support for receiving said yarns, a traversing mechanism for traversing said support back and forth across the path of said yarns control means operatively connected with said traversing mechanism for rotating said comb in the direction opposite to the direction of travel of said support as the end of said support approaches and leaves the edge of said warp sheet.

8. A yarn Winding apparatus for simultaneously winding a plurality of yarns onto a rotating support, a'yarn comb, mounted for rotation in a horizontal plane and having a plurality of yarn guides projecting from its surface for spacing said yarns apart in adjacent parallel relationship in the form of a warp sheet, said guides being aligned in essentially a V-shaped configuration, a rotatable yarn support for receiving said yarns, a traversing mechanism for traversing said comb back and forth relative to said support and means for rotating said comb in the direction of traverse as the edge of said warp sheet approaches and leaves the end of said support whereby the distance between the yarns in about one-half of said warp sheet is progressively decreased and the distance between the yarns in the remainder of the warp sheet is progressively increased.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 in which the means for rotating said comb are camming surfaces positioned at each end of the line of traverse of said comb.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS- 186,249 Heaton Jan. 16, 1877 1,478,082 WlllilOCk Dec. 18, I923 1,988,918 Reiners et al. Jan. '22, 1935 2,026,315 Kahlisch Dec. 31, 1935 2,033,738 Reiners et a1 Mar. 10, 1936 2,037,512 Kahlisch Apr. 14, 1936 2,066,888 Kahlisch Jan.'5, 1937 

